Method and apparatus for providing information associated with embedded hyperlinked images

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for allowing a network provider to embed hyperlinks within streaming video contents that will enable users to click on an embedded hyperlinked image to obtain more information related to the streaming video contents are disclosed. For example, someone watching a tennis match can click on the hyperlinked image corresponding to one of the players and receive a frame of data about his or her recent performance, or someone watching the news can click on a hyperlinked image of a segment of a world map and receive a frame of data about current events occurring in a particular region.

The present invention relates generally to communication networks and,more particularly, to a method and apparatus for providing informationabout hyperlinked images embedded in a video session in communicationnetworks, e.g., packet networks such as Service over Internet Protocol(SoIP) networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As extremely high bandwidth access networks become more accessible toresidential subscribers, they enable service providers of these networksto integrate voice, video, and data, thereby providing more conveniencefor end customers and creating new service opportunities. Due to themulti-service nature of these new services, networks can provideadditional functionalities to end customers to support multiplesimultaneous application sessions to a single subscriber. For instance,a subscriber watching a streaming video session, such as a footballmatch, may want to obtain more information related to the video contentsbeing shown, e.g., recent performance of one of the sport teams playingin the match. There needs to be a way for the subscriber to easily andconveniently obtain desired information related to the contents beingshown.

Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus for providinginformation about images displayed in a video session in a packetnetwork, e.g., a SoIP network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention enables a network provider toembed hyperlinks within streaming video contents that will enable usersto click on an embedded hyperlinked image to obtain more informationrelated to the streaming video contents. For example, someone watching atennis match can click on the hyperlinked image of one of the playersand receive a frame of data about his or her recent performance, orsomeone watching the world news can click on a hyperlinked image of asegment of a world map and receive a frame of data about current eventsoccurring in a particular region. A hyperlink is an icon, a graphicimage, or a text string, e.g., within a web page that, when activated,automatically links a user to another web page addressed by a UniversalResource Locator (URL) associated with said icon, graphic image, or textstring. A URL is the standard way to express the location of a resourceon the Internet and provides a unique address which identifies aresource on the Internet for routing purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teaching of the present invention can be readily understood byconsidering the following detailed description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)network related to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP)network related to the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of providing information about hyperlinkedimages embedded in a video session in a packet network, e.g., a SoIPnetwork, of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method for providing informationabout hyperlinked images embedded in a video session in a packetnetwork, e.g., a SoIP network, of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a high level block diagram of a general purposecomputer suitable for use in performing the functions described herein.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To better understand the present invention, FIG. 1 illustrates acommunication architecture 100 having an example network, e.g., a packetnetwork such as a VoIP network related to the present invention.Exemplary packet networks include internet protocol (IP) networks,asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks, frame-relay networks, and thelike. An IP network is broadly defined as a network that uses InternetProtocol to exchange data packets. Thus, a VoIP network or a SoIP(Service over Internet Protocol) network is considered an IP network.

In one embodiment, the VoIP network may comprise various types ofcustomer endpoint devices connected via various types of access networksto a carrier (a service provider) VoIP core infrastructure over anInternet Protocol/Multi-Protocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS) based corebackbone network. Broadly defined, a VoIP network is a network that iscapable of carrying voice signals as packetized data over an IP network.The present invention is described below in the context of anillustrative VoIP network. Thus, the present invention should not beinterpreted to be limited by this particular illustrative architecture.

The customer endpoint devices can be either Time Division Multiplexing(TDM) based or IP based. TDM based customer endpoint devices 122, 123,134, and 135 typically comprise of TDM phones or Private Branch Exchange(PBX). IP based customer endpoint devices 144 and 145 typically compriseIP phones or IP PBX. The Terminal Adaptors (TA) 132 and 133 are used toprovide necessary interworking functions between TDM customer endpointdevices, such as analog phones, and packet based access networktechnologies, such as Digital Subscriber Loop (DSL) or Cable broadbandaccess networks. TDM based customer endpoint devices access VoIPservices by using either a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 120,121 or a broadband access network via a TA 132 or 133. IP based customerendpoint devices access VoIP services by using a Local Area Network(LAN) 140 and 141 with a VoIP gateway or router 142 and 143,respectively.

The access networks can be either TDM or packet based. A TDM PSTN 120 or121 is used to support TDM customer endpoint devices connected viatraditional phone lines. A packet based access network, such as FrameRelay, ATM, Ethernet or IP, is used to support IP based customerendpoint devices via a customer LAN, e.g., 140 with a VoIP gateway androuter 142. A packet based access network 130 or 131, such as DSL orCable, when used together with a TA 132 or 133, is used to support TDMbased customer endpoint devices.

The core VoIP infrastructure comprises of several key VoIP components,such the Border Element (BE) 112 and 113, the Call Control Element (CCE)111, VoIP related Application Servers (AS) 114, and Media Server (MS)115. The BE resides at the edge of the VoIP core infrastructure andinterfaces with customers endpoints over various types of accessnetworks. A BE is typically implemented as a Media Gateway and performssignaling, media control, security, and call admission control andrelated functions. The CCE resides within the VoIP infrastructure and isconnected to the BEs using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) overthe underlying IP/MPLS based core backbone network 110. The CCE istypically implemented as a Media Gateway Controller or a softswitch andperforms network wide call control related functions as well asinteracts with the appropriate VoIP service related servers whennecessary. The CCE functions as a SIP back-to-back user agent and is asignaling endpoint for all call legs between all BEs and the CCE. TheCCE may need to interact with various VoIP related Application Servers(AS) in order to complete a call that require certain service specificfeatures, e.g. translation of an E.164 voice network address into an IPaddress.

For calls that originate or terminate in a different carrier, they canbe handled through the PSTN 120 and 121 or the Partner IP Carrier 160interconnections. For originating or terminating TDM calls, they can behandled via existing PSTN interconnections to the other carrier. Fororiginating or terminating VoIP calls, they can be handled via thePartner IP carrier interface 160 to the other carrier.

In order to illustrate how the different components operate to support aVoIP call, the following call scenario is used to illustrate how a VoIPcall is setup between two customer endpoints. A customer using IP device144 at location A places a call to another customer at location Z usingTDM device 135. During the call setup, a setup signaling message is sentfrom IP device 144, through the LAN 140, the VoIP Gateway/Router 142,and the associated packet based access network, to BE 112. BE 112 willthen send a setup signaling message, such as a SIP-INVITE message if SIPis used, to CCE 111. CCE 111 looks at the called party information andqueries the necessary VoIP service related application server 114 toobtain the information to complete this call. In one embodiment, theApplication Server (AS) functions as a SIP back-to-back user agent. IfBE 113 needs to be involved in completing the call; CCE 111 sendsanother call setup message, such as a SIP-INVITE message if SIP is used,to BE 113. Upon receiving the call setup message, BE 113 forwards thecall setup message, via broadband network 131, to TA 133. TA 133 thenidentifies the appropriate TDM device 135 and rings that device. Oncethe call is accepted at location Z by the called party, a callacknowledgement signaling message, such as a SIP 200 OK response messageif SIP is used, is sent in the reverse direction back to the CCE 111.After the CCE 111 receives the call acknowledgement message, it willthen send a call acknowledgement signaling message, such as a SIP 200 OKresponse message if SIP is used, toward the calling party. In addition,the CCE 111 also provides the necessary information of the call to bothBE 112 and BE 113 so that the call data exchange can proceed directlybetween BE 112 and BE 113. The call signaling path 150 and the callmedia path 151 are illustratively shown in FIG. 1. Note that the callsignaling path and the call media path are different because once a callhas been setup up between two endpoints, the CCE 111 does not need to bein the data path for actual direct data exchange.

Media Servers (MS) 115 are special servers that typically handle andterminate media streams, and to provide services such as announcements,bridges, transcoding, and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) messages forVoIP service applications.

Note that a customer in location A using any endpoint device type withits associated access network type can communicate with another customerin location Z using any endpoint device type with its associated networktype as well. For instance, a customer at location A using IP customerendpoint device 144 with packet based access network 140 can callanother customer at location Z using TDM endpoint device 123 with PSTNaccess network 121. The BEs 112 and 113 are responsible for thenecessary signaling protocol translation, e.g., SS7 to and from SIP, andmedia format conversion, such as TDM voice format to and from IP basedpacket voice format.

The network shown in FIG. 1 can be extended to become a SoIP networkthat supports multi-service applications including, but not limited to,video services. FIG. 2 illustrates a communication architecture 200having an example network, e.g., a packet network such as a SoIP networkrelated to the present invention. A SoIP network supports multi-serviceapplications including voice, data, and video services. In oneembodiment, a SoIP network that supports video services is describedbelow. In this SoIP network, voice services supported include, but arenot limited to, VoIP services; data services supported include, but arenot limited to, Instant Messaging (IM), electronic mail (email),internet access services, or any other IP based applications; and videoservices include, but are not limited to, Video on Demand (VoD),broadcast video, and video conferencing services.

A SoIP network that supports video services comprises an intelligentmulti-service endpoint device connected via packet access networks to aservice provider's SoIP core infrastructure employing Internet Protocol(IP) and/or Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Protocols. Broadlydefined, a SoIP network is a network that is capable of carrying voice,video, and data signals as packetized data over an IP network. Thepresent invention is described below in the context of an illustrativeSoIP network that supports video services. Thus, the present inventionshould not be interpreted to be limited by this particular illustrativearchitecture.

Video endpoint device 232 and 233 are IP based intelligent multi-serviceendpoint device supporting voice, video, and data applications. Videoendpoint device 232 and 233 are signaling endpoints of applicationsessions, e.g. a VoIP session endpoint, an instant messaging endpoint,or a video session endpoint. In one embodiment, a video endpoint deviceis a standalone device that can be connected to home electronicappliances such as, but is not limited to, telephone 234 and 235, TV 236and 237, or Personal Computer (PC) 238 and 239. In another embodiment, avideo endpoint device can be integrated with a TV, a PC, or any homeappliances with a display.

The access networks are packet based. Packet based access networks 230and 231 use, but are not limited to, Frame Relay, ATM, Ethernet, IP, DSLor Cable broadband access network technologies to interconnect a videoendpoint device to a SoIP network that supports video services.

The core SoIP infrastructure that supports video services comprises ofseveral key components, such the Border Element (BE) 212 and 213, theCall Control Element (CCE) 211, SoIP related Application Servers (AS)214, Media Servers (MS) 215, Session Controller (SC) 241, Video ofDemand (VoD) Servers 242, Broadcast Servers (242), and Instant Messaging(IM) Servers 243. A BE resides at the edge of the SoIP coreinfrastructure and interfaces with customers endpoints over varioustypes of access networks. The functions supported by a BE include thosesupported by a BE as previously described in network 100 and FIG. 1. Inaddition, in a SoIP network that supports video services, a BE alsoserves as a gateway between a video endpoint device used by a subscriberand the SoIP core network that supports video services. All applicationsessions initiated by a SoIP subscriber must gain entry to the SoIP corenetwork via a BE. The functions supported by a CCE and a MS are the sameas those previously described in network 100 and FIG. 1. A SessionController (SC) resides within the SoIP infrastructure and is connectedto the BEs using an IP based signaling protocol such as, but is notlimited to, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). A SC is responsible forsetting up all application session requests, such as VoIP call requests,video session requests, or data session requests, originated by acustomer within the network and interacts with, if necessary, theappropriate SoIP related AS in order to complete an application sessionthat requires certain service specific features originated by acustomer. A SC also keeps track of all sessions initiated by a customerfor session management and billing purposes as well. The functionssupported by a SoIP related AS include those supported by a VoIP AS aspreviously described in network 100 and FIG. 1. In addition, a SoIP ASalso supports all video specific application features. A VoD Server isresponsible for supporting video on demand video session requestsoriginated by a customer and sends the requested streaming videocontents, such as a movie, to the customer. A Broadcast Server isresponsible for supporting broadcast video session requested originatedby a customer and sends streaming broadcast video contents, such as TVchannels, to the customer. The VoD Server and the Broadcast Server sendsstreaming video contents to video endpoint devices using compressiontechnologies including, but are not limited to, Moving Picture ExpertsGroup (MPEG) 2, MPEG 4, MPEG 7, MPEG 21. An IM Server is responsible forsupporting IM applications involving multiple users. Instant Messagingis a form of electronic communication that involves immediate typed textcorrespondence between two or more users over the Internet who areonline simultaneously. IM is a text-based computer conference over theInternet between two or more people who are online at the same time.

In order to illustrate how the different components in a SoIP networkoperate to support video services, the following scenarios are used toillustrate how voice, data, and video sessions are setup between theSoIP network and a video endpoint. In one embodiment, a customer usingvideo endpoint device 232 at location A places a VoD session request tothe SoIP network that supports video services using TV 236. During thesession initiation, a setup signaling message is sent from videoendpoint device 232 to BE 212 using signaling path segment 250. BE 212will then send a setup signaling message, such as a SIP-INVITE messageif SIP is used, to SC 241 using signaling path segment 251. SC 241processes the session requests and forwards the request to theappropriate server for further processing. In this case, the request isa VoD session; therefore, the request will be forwarded to VoD Server242 using signaling path segment 252. SC 241 may interact with AS 214using signaling path segment 259 to verify customer's subscriptioninformation or to retrieve video specific applications or data in orderto complete the session request. Once the VoD session is verified, VoDServer 242 sends the requested VoD streaming contents to BE 212 usingdata path segment 262. BE 212 then forwards the requested VoD streamingcontents to video endpoint 232 using data path segment 260. Similarly, acustomer at location Z using TV 237 connected to video endpoint 233 canrequest a VoD session via SC 241 with streaming VoD contents sent by VoDServer 242. Note that a VoD server may be placed closer to end users ina packet access network to serve video endpoints in an alternativeembodiment.

In another embodiment, a customer using video endpoint device 232 atlocation A places a broadcast video session request to the SoIP networkthat supports video services using TV 236. During the sessioninitiation, a setup signaling message is sent from video endpoint device232 to BE 212 using signaling path segment 250. BE 212 will then send asetup signaling message, such as a SIP-INVITE message if SIP is used, toSC 241 using signaling path segment 251. SC 241 processes the sessionrequests and forwards the request to the appropriate server for furtherprocessing. In this case, the request is a broadcast video session for aparticular premium TV channel; therefore, the request will be forwardedto Broadcast Server 243 using signaling path segment 253. SC 241 mayinteract with AS 214 using signaling path segment 259 to verifycustomer's subscription information or to retrieve video specificapplications or data in order to complete the session request. Once thebroadcast session is verified, Broadcast Server 243 sends the requestedbroadcast video streaming contents to BE 212 using data path segment263. BE 212 then forwards the requested broadcast video streamingcontents to video endpoint 232 using data path segment 260. Similarly, acustomer at location Z using TV 237 connected to video endpoint 233 canrequest a broadcast video session via SC 241 with streaming broadcastvideo contents sent by Broadcast Server 243. Note that a Broadcastserver may be placed closer to end users in a packet access network toserve video endpoints in an alternative embodiment.

In another embodiment, a customer using video endpoint device 232 atlocation A places an IM session request to the video network using PC238. During the session initiation, a setup signaling message is sentfrom video endpoint device 232 to BE 212 using signaling path segment250. BE 212 will then send a setup signaling message, including loginand password information of the user, to SC 241 using signaling pathsegment 251. SC 241 processes the session requests and forwards therequest to the appropriate server for further processing. In this case,the request to sign on an IM session; therefore, the request will beforwarded to IM Server 244 using signaling path segment 254. SC 241 mayinteract with AS 214 using signaling path segment 259 to verifycustomer's subscription information or to retrieve IM specificapplications or data in order to complete the session request. Once theIM session is verified, IM Server 244 establishes the requested IM datapath to video endpoint 232 via BE 212 using data path comprising datapath segment 260 and 264. Similarly, a customer at location A using TV236 connected to video endpoint 232 or a customer at location Z using PC239 or TV 237 connected to video endpoint 233 can request an IM sessionvia SC 241 with IM functions provided by IM Server 244.

In another embodiment, a customer using video endpoint device 232 atlocation A places a VoIP session request destined to video endpointdevice 233 via the SoIP network that supports video services usingtelephone 234. During the session initiation, a setup signaling messageis sent from video endpoint device 232 to BE 212 using signaling pathsegment 250. BE 212 will then send a setup signaling message, such as aSIP-INVITE message if SIP is used, to SC 241 using signaling pathsegment 251. SC 241 processes the session requests and forwards therequest to the appropriate server for further processing. In this case,the request is a VoIP session for a call destined to a called party atlocation Z; therefore, the request will be forwarded to CCE 211 usingsignaling path segment 255. CCE may interact with AS 214 using signalingpath segment 259 to verify customer's subscription information or toretrieve VoIP specific applications or data in order to complete thesession request. The signaling flows to establish a VoIP call betweenvideo endpoint device 232 and 233 is similar to those describedpreviously in network 100 and FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the ApplicationServer (AS) functions as a SIP back-to-back user agent. Since BE 213needs to be involved in completing the call; CCE 211 sends another callsetup message, such as a SIP-INVITE message if SIP is used, to BE 213using signaling path segment 257. Upon receiving the call setup message,BE 213 forwards the call setup message, via packet access network 231 tovideo endpoint device 233 using signaling path segment 258. Videoendpoint device 233 then identifies telephone 235 and rings thattelephone. Once the call is accepted at location Z by the called party,a call acknowledgement signaling message, such as a SIP 200 OK responsemessage if SIP is used, is sent in the reverse direction back to the CCE211. After the CCE 211 receives the call acknowledgement message, itwill then send a call acknowledgement signaling message, such as a SIP200 OK response message if SIP is used, toward the calling party atlocation A using signaling path comprising signaling path segment 256and 250 via BE 212. In addition, the CCE 211 also provides the necessaryinformation of the call to both BE 212 and BE 213 so that the call dataexchange can proceed directly between BE 212 and BE 213. CCE 211 alsoprovides the call completion status of a VoIP call to SC 241. The callmedia path comprising media path segment 260, 261, and 265 areillustratively shown in FIG. 2. Note that the call signaling path andthe call media path are different because once a call has been setup upbetween two video endpoint devices, SC 241 and CCE 211 does not need tobe in the data path for actual direct data exchange.

As extremely high bandwidth access networks become more accessible toresidential subscribers, they enable service providers of these networksto integrate voice, video, and data, thereby providing more conveniencefor end customers and creating new service opportunities. Due to themulti-service nature of these new services, networks can provideadditional functionalities to end customers to support multiplesimultaneous application sessions to a single subscriber. For instance,a subscriber watching a streaming video session, such as a footballmatch, may want to obtain more information related to the video contentsbeing shown, e.g., recent performance of one of the sport teams playingin the match. There needs to be a way for the subscriber to easily andconveniently obtain desired information related to the contents beingshown.

To address this need, the present invention enables a network providerto embed hyperlinks within streaming video contents that will enableusers to click on an embedded hyperlinked image to obtain moreinformation related to the streaming video contents. For example,someone watching a tennis match can click on the hyperlinked image ofone of the players and receive a frame of data about his or her recentperformance, or someone watching the world news can click on ahyperlinked image of a segment of a world map and receive a frame ofdata about current events occurring in a particular region. A hyperlinkis an icon, a graphic image, or a text string, e.g., within a web pagethat, when activated, automatically links a user to another web pageaddressed by a Universal Resource Locator (URL) associated with saidicon, graphic image, or text string. For example, a hyperlink can bedetected on a webpage when a pointer icon is placed near the hyperlink,where the pointer icon suddenly changes to an icon having a “hand with apointing finger”. A URL is the standard way to express the location of aresource on the Internet and provides a unique address which identifiesa resource on the Internet for routing purposes.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example 300 of providing information abouthyperlinked images embedded in a video session in a packet network,e.g., a SoIP network, of the present invention. In FIG. 3, subscriber371 is watching broadcast television contents on TV 339. The streamingbroadcast TV contents are sent by Broadcast Server 343 to TV 339 viavideo endpoint device 332 using flow 360. The broadcast TV contents arebeing displayed in an independent display frame on TV 339. During atennis match, two embedded hyperlinked images (e.g., icons or picturesthat represent two players) corresponding to the two tennis playersplaying are displayed in the display frame (e.g., in the upper or lowercorner of the display frame) in which the tennis match is being shown.In other words, one or more icons that correspond to one or more objects(broadly defined to cover humans, animals, and inanimate objects) thatare currently displayed on a video session can be displayed at theperiphery of the display frame. Subscriber 371 decides to use a pointerdevice, such as a computer mouse, to select and click on an iconcorresponding to one of the displayed tennis players to obtain moreinformation related to that tennis player. It should be noted that it isthe icon that is being clicked on and not the actual tennis player'simages that are being displayed. Alternatively, subscriber 371 can alsouse a remote control or a keyboard to activate the embedded hyperlinkedimage. Once the selection is made, video endpoint device 332 sends theassociated information request to SC 341 using flow 350. SC 341, inturn, forwards the request to Image Information Application Server 342using flow 351 to fulfill the request from subscriber 371. Once therequested information on one of the tennis player has been retrieved,Image Information Application Server 342 creates a new data session andsends the retrieved tennis player data requested to TV 339 via endpointdevice 332 using flow 361. The requested tennis player information suchas, but not limited to, recent performance data, is then displayed inanother independent display frame on TV 339 being viewed by subscriber371. Note that different hyperlinked icons or images that link todifferent data sets can be embedded during a program to allow subscriber371 to retrieve additional information relevant to that particularsegment of the program.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method 400 for providing informationabout hyperlinked images embedded in a video session in a packetnetwork, e.g., a SoIP network, of the present invention. Method 400starts in step 405 and proceeds to step 410.

In step 410, the method embeds one or more hyperlinks, e.g., hyperlinkedimages or icons in a streaming video session being sent to a subscriber.The hyperlinked images or icons are embedded and sent by a BroadcastServer along with the video content.

In step 420, the method checks if one or more of the embeddedhyperlinked images or icons are activated, e.g. being selected by thesubscriber via a pointer device click. Alternatively, the subscriber canalso use a remote control or a keyboard to activate the embeddedhyperlinked image. If one or more of the embedded hyperlinked images oricons are activated, the method proceeds to step 430; otherwise, themethod proceeds to step 450.

In step 430, the method retrieves information or data associated withthe activated hyperlinked images or icons. The information or dataassociated with the activated hyperlinked images or icons are retrievedby an Image Information Application Server.

In step 435, the method creates a new data session to the subscriber'svideo display device. The new data session is created by the ImageInformation Application Server. Each new data session corresponding toan activated hyperlinked image or icon will be displayed in its ownindependent display frame.

In step 440, the method sends the retrieved information to thecorresponding display frame to be displayed on the video display devicebeing viewed by the subscriber. The retrieved information is sent by theImage Information Application Server. The method ends in step 450.

FIG. 5 depicts a high level block diagram of a general purpose computersuitable for use in performing the functions described herein. Asdepicted in FIG. 5, the system 500 comprises a processor element 502(e.g., a CPU), a memory 504, e.g., random access memory (RAM) and/orread only memory (ROM), a module 505 for providing information abouthyperlinked images embedded in a video session, and various input/outputdevices 506 (e.g., storage devices, including but not limited to, a tapedrive, a floppy drive, a hard disk drive or a compact disk drive, areceiver, a transmitter, a speaker, a display, a speech synthesizer, anoutput port, and a user input device (such as a keyboard, a keypad, amouse, and the like)).

It should be noted that the present invention can be implemented insoftware and/or in a combination of software and hardware, e.g., usingapplication specific integrated circuits (ASIC), a general purposecomputer or any other hardware equivalents. In one embodiment, thepresent module or process 505 for providing information abouthyperlinked images embedded in a video session can be loaded into memory504 and executed by processor 502 to implement the functions asdiscussed above. As such, the present process 505 for providinginformation about hyperlinked images embedded in a video session(including associated data structures) of the present invention can bestored on a computer readable medium or carrier, e.g., RAM memory,magnetic or optical drive or diskette and the like.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example only, and notlimitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment shouldnot be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing information related to aplayer of a sporting event displayed in a video content in acommunication network, comprising: retrieving, by an application server,information associated with a hyperlink after the hyperlink is activatedby a subscriber device, wherein the application server comprises animage information application server deployed in the communicationnetwork, wherein the information comprises performance data of a player,wherein the hyperlink is associated with the player and is embedded inthe video content that is being transmitted to the subscriber device viaa first data session, wherein the video content comprises the sportingevent that is being broadcasted live, wherein the hyperlink is displayedas an icon representative of the player participating in the sportingevent and is separate from the player displayed in the video content,wherein the hyperlink is a hyperlinked image of the player, wherein thehyperlinked image is embedded and transmitted by a broadcast serverdeployed in the communication network, wherein the broadcast server andthe application server are different devices; and providing, by theapplication server, the information associated with the hyperlink to thesubscriber device via a new data session in an independent display framesimultaneous with the sporting event that is being broadcasted live,wherein the providing comprises transmitting the information to thesubscriber device via the new data session, wherein the informationassociated with the hyperlink is displayed in the independent displayframe that is different from a display frame showing the video content.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication network is a serviceover internet protocol network.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thenew data session is established by the image information applicationserver between the image information application server and thesubscriber device.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the hyperlink isactivated by the subscriber using a control device.
 5. A tangiblecomputer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which, whenexecuted by a processor of an application server, cause the processor toperform operations for providing information related to a player of asporting event displayed in a video content in a communication network,the operations comprising: retrieving information associated with ahyperlink after the hyperlink is activated by a subscriber device,wherein the application server comprises an image informationapplication server deployed in the communication network, wherein theinformation comprises performance data of a player, wherein thehyperlink is associated with the player and is embedded in the videocontent that is being transmitted to the subscriber device via a firstdata session, wherein the video content comprises the sporting eventthat is being broadcasted live, wherein the hyperlink is displayed as anicon representative of the player participating in the sporting eventand is separate from the player displayed in the video content, whereinthe hyperlink is a hyperlinked image of the player, wherein thehyperlinked image is embedded and transmitted by a broadcast serverdeployed in the communication network, wherein the broadcast server andthe application server are different devices; and providing theinformation associated with the hyperlink to the subscriber device via anew data session in an independent display frame simultaneous with thesporting event that is being broadcasted live, wherein the providingcomprises transmitting the information to the subscriber device via thenew data session, wherein the information associated with the hyperlinkis displayed in the independent display frame that is different from adisplay frame showing the video content.
 6. The tangiblecomputer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the communication networkis a service over internet protocol network.
 7. The tangiblecomputer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the new data session isestablished by the image information application server between theimage information application server and the subscriber device.
 8. Thetangible computer-readable medium of claim 5, wherein the hyperlink isactivated by the subscriber using a control device.
 9. A system forproviding information related to a player of a sporting event displayedin a video content in a communication network, comprising: a processorof an application server, wherein the application server comprises animage information application server deployed in the communicationnetwork; and a computer-readable medium storing a plurality ofinstructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto perform operations, the operations comprising: retrieving informationassociated with a hyperlink after the hyperlink is activated by asubscriber device, wherein the information comprises performance data ofa player, wherein the hyperlink is associated with the player and isembedded in the video content that is being transmitted to thesubscriber device via a first data session, wherein the video contentcomprises the sporting event that is being broadcasted live, wherein thehyperlink is displayed as an icon representative of the playerparticipating in the sporting event and is separate from the playerdisplayed in the video content, wherein the hyperlink is a hyperlinkedimage of the player, wherein the hyperlinked image is embedded andtransmitted by a broadcast server deployed in the communication network,wherein the broadcast server and the application server are differentdevices; and providing the information associated with the hyperlink tothe subscriber device via a new data session in an independent displayframe simultaneous with the sporting event that is being broadcastedlive, wherein the providing comprises transmitting the information tothe subscriber device via the new data session, wherein the informationassociated with the hyperlink is displayed in the independent displayframe that is different from a display frame showing the video content.10. The system of claim 9, wherein the communication network is aservice over internet protocol network.